Effective Date: September 30, 2025
Contact: contact@startsmartly.co

This Cookie Policy explains how startsmartly.co (“we”, “our”, “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our Platform. It works together with our Privacy Policy to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help us improve security, performance, and user experience. Some cookies are essential, while others are optional and require your consent.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

(a) Strictly Necessary Cookies

• Enable secure login, account access, and transactions.
• Required for SCA under PSD2 (e.g., verifying identity during payments).
• Cannot be disabled.

(b) Functional Cookies

• Remember preferences (e.g., language, region).
• Enhance usability of the Platform.

(c) Performance & Analytics Cookies

• Collect anonymized usage data (e.g., pages visited, time spent).
• Help us improve Platform performance.

(d) Marketing & Third-Party Cookies

• Used (with consent) for personalized offers, retargeting, and analytics.
• Placed by trusted service providers such as payment gateways, analytics, or advertising networks.

3. How We Use Cookies

• To authenticate users and keep sessions secure.
• To comply with PSD2 SCA requirements during online transactions.
• To measure traffic, prevent fraud, and detect suspicious activities.
• To remember settings and personalize your experience.
• To provide optional marketing content (only if you opt-in).

4. Consent & Control

• On your first visit, we ask for your consent to use non-essential cookies.
• You may withdraw or adjust consent anytime via the cookie banner or your browser settings.
• Disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of secure login and payments.

5. Third-Party Services

We may use third-party providers (e.g., payment processors, analytics tools) that place cookies on your device. These are subject to their own privacy and cookie policies.

6. Retention

• Session cookies expire when you close your browser.
• Persistent cookies remain for a set period unless you delete them manually.

7. Updates

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, or our services. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised Effective Date.

8. Contact

For questions about cookies or to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
📧 contact@startsmartly.co